Classic M&P Snubnose Picture Thread

[DCWilson]

Originally Posted by Goony

Gotta tell us mo (get it?), Al. I'm presuming that's an "S" or early "C" prefix gun - but what are those stocks made of? They have that old ivory patina in the photo, but heck, yellowing plastic would look the same....

I thought varnished ash or unfigured maple. But whatever the material, they are sure eye-catching.

[pennlineman]

[needsmostuff]

Originally Posted by Goony

Gotta tell us mo (get it?), Al. I'm presuming that's an "S" or early "C" prefix gun - but what are those stocks made of? They have that old ivory patina in the photo, but heck, yellowing plastic would look the same....

What you see amigo is the fine patina of vintage plastic (old enough to be Bakelite or catalin). Darn it , that ivory stuff is not real abundent around here.

[tjpopkin]

A real tough gun to find....a nickel Terrier!




Another: A 42


Another:Bodyguard Airweight



A NEWER cool gun: A Pocket Rocket in .356TSW


Same Gun with a pair of Kim Ahrends marvels:

[Stophel]

My old one (around 48-49)


and my "new" one. A 10-5 from about 64-65


BOTH of them have cryptic numbers written on them with an "electric pencil". I would presume they are police department inventory numbers.

I have wanted one for years. They are just the neatest things. Nothing like a 2" M&P. My grandfather carried a 2" M&P 10-5 when I was a kid as a deputy sheriff in the 70's with grips he made himself with a thumb shelf. I have seen the bill of sale where he got it at the hardware store. If I remember correctly, it was like $110-$150. Something like that.

[Stophel]

Originally Posted by DCWilson

I thought varnished ash or unfigured maple. But whatever the material, they are sure eye-catching.

DEFINITELY not ash, or maple. Looks like ivory or a simulated ivory. ;-)

Oops, I see it was answered already!

[crsides]

You need its big bro to go with it...





Charlie

More than you wanted to know....
Catalin is a brand name for a thermosetting polymer popular in the 1930s. Developed when the American Catalin Corporation took over the patents for Bakelite in 1927, Catalin is a cast phenolic which can be worked with files, grinders and cutters and polishes to a fine sheen. Chemically, it is a phenol formaldehyde resin. Catalin has a different manufacturing process (two-stage process) than other types of Bakelite resins (without using fillers such as sawdust or carbon black). Catalin is transparent, near colorless, rather than opaque, brown, so unlike other bakelite phenolics it can be dyed bright colors or even marbled. This has made Catalin more popular than other types of Bakelite. In the 1930s-1950s it quickly replaced most plastic consumer goods.

Catalin is heavy, quite greasy in feel and as hard as brass. It is heat resistant and does not soften under boiling water. Like Bakelite it gives off a distinctive phenolic odour when heated, and can be tested using Simichrome - which turns from pink to yellow. Due to oxidation, older Catalin items darken in color with white fading to yellow. This caused some very interesting effects when radio cabinets were made from Catalin. [1] Catalin radios were often made in stylish Art Deco designs and are highly sought after by collectors.

Catalin is a trademark of the Catalin Corporation of America.

[edit] UsesCatalin bakelite is perhaps the most worldwide recognized plastic and was used in the 1930s to 50s for many household objects, jewelry, small boxes, lamps, cutlery handles and desk sets. Catalin jewelry, more commonly referred to now as Bakelite jewelry was made from the 1930s until the end of World War II when it became too expensive as every piece had to be individually cast and polished. The Catalin Corporation introduced 15 new colours in 1927 and developed techniques to create marbling. The colours included yellow, orange, red, greens, blue and purple, with clear, opaque and marbled versions. In the 1930s jewelry made from these colours were very popular with sets of beads, bangles, earrings and rings being worn together. Even though the jewelry made out of this material is referred to as bakelite in the antique trade, the household items, radios, cutlery ,etc is accurately referred to as Catalin.

[wundudnee]

As usual I'm late to the party. Here is my S serial # that I got last year, FTF for $275.00. No I didn't try to bargain with the old gentleman.

[ar15ed]

great thread. i am sending it back to the top!

[semperfi71]

What appears to be a M1905 4th Change M&P 2 inch Snubnose with factory walnut stocks. Mint.

It ain't mine.

[chief38]

QUITE IMPRESSIVE FELLAS!!!!

Chief38

[RMP91]

My sincerest apologies for using my first post to Necro this 14 month old thread, but I need help identifying my particular M&P.

I don't have access to it for pictures at the moment (it's located at my family's cabin in Northern California), but I have an M&P 2" inherited from a friend of my father's who passed away 7 years ago.

It looks almost the same as the ones that have been pictured so far EXCEPT:

1. I was told it originally had a nickel finish (blued now). Were there any made in Nickel to validate this claim?

2. It does NOT have a supported guide rod (similar to the Colt revolvers made at the time).

I know it's a S&W because of the cylinder release and the markings on it. I don't remember the SN off the top of my head, but it's original owner served in the War and passed away at the age of 88 in 2007 if that helps at all. It also has the round front sights and originally came with black plastic grips.

All the M&Ps I've seen in this thread so far all have supported guide rods (the small piece of metal in front of the guide rod, parallel to the barrel). Is mine a rare variant or was it never made that way in the factory (modified by owner)?

[DCWilson]

RMP91, welcome to the forum.

When you see a snubnose M&P without a forward locking lug to support the front end of the ejector rod, it is almost always a British Service Revolver whose barrel has been cut from five inches to two. In the process, the locking lug is lost. These BSRs (which can have serial numbers in -- round numbers -- the 700000-999999 range, and then from V1 through about V800000) were produced from 1940-1945 and chambered the .38 S&W cartridge, not .38 Special. As part of the conversion, chambers were bored out to take the longer .38 S&W Special cartridge. I suspect that is what you have. Many of these guns were proofed out of British service into the commercial market in the 1950s, then imported to North America as inexpensive revolvers. Their collector value is essentially nil because they are so heavily modified, but they retain some value as shooter grade revolvers. Because of differing case dimensions, .38 Special brass can swell or even split along about half its length if fired in a converted cylinder. But you should be able to shoot the shorter .38 S&W rounds without trouble. Pay attention to the yoke and cylinder. If the unit is loose or wobbles back and forth without the front locking lug, it may be a good idea just to retire the gun.

Original nickel two-inch M&Ps existed in the commercial civilian market, but a BSR in nickel has been refinished.

[RMP91]

Originally Posted by DCWilson

RMP91, welcome to the forum.

When you see a snubnose M&P without a forward locking lug to support the front end of the ejector rod, it is almost always a British Service Revolver whose barrel has been cut from five inches to two. In the process, the locking lug is lost. These BSRs (which can have serial numbers in -- round numbers -- the 700000-999999 range, and then from V1 through about V800000) were produced from 1940-1945 and chambered the .38 S&W cartridge, not .38 Special. As part of the conversion, chambers were bored out to take the longer .38 S&W Special cartridge. I suspect that is what you have. Many of these guns were proofed out of British service into the commercial market in the 1950s, then imported to North America as inexpensive revolvers. Their collector value is essentially nil because they are so heavily modified, but they retain some value as shooter grade revolvers. Because of differing case dimensions, .38 Special brass can swell or even split along about half its length if fired in a converted cylinder. But you should be able to shoot the shorter .38 S&W rounds without trouble. Pay attention to the yoke and cylinder. If the unit is loose or wobbles back and forth without the front locking lug, it may be a good idea just to retire the gun.

Original nickel two-inch M&Ps existed in the commercial civilian market, but a BSR in nickel has been refinished.

That doesn't seem to be possible, my father and I shot a good 100-200 rounds of .38 Special out of it just fine... I've looked all over for pictures of the M&P I have but it appears to be unique in that it has an unsupported guide rod... This is truly a mystery.

[RMP91]

I think I may have found a pic: taken from Smith & Wesson VICTORY Model Nickel Snub Nose .38 Special For Sale or Trade Metro Atlanta | Handgun Classifieds in Georgia | The Outdoors Trader

Except it's been blued.

[DCWilson]

The gun you show is a renickeled wartime Victory or Pre-Victory, categories that include all the British Service Revolvers I alluded to in my earlier post. These guns were provided to the British either as contract sales or lend-lease goods after that program was introduced.

The refinishing giveaway in the illustrated gun is the fact that the hammer and trigger have been nickeled as well. No standard production revolver ever left the S&W factory with blued or nickeled hammer and trigger; the standard finish was the coloring you got with their proprietary case hardening process. Notice also the small P at the top left corner of the frame in front of the hammer. That is a government acceptance mark. Lend-lease guns were cleared by the US Government before being transferred to Great Britain.

I didn't mean to imply that all .38 Special ammo would be problematic in a converted BSR, but that it might. Apologies if I misled you. Some conversions by the best British firearms companies (Cogswell and Harrison, for example) involved completely boring out each charge hole and then sleeving each one so that .38 Special ammo would fit properly. These guns would NOT be able to chamber .38 S&W afterwards because of the more precise conversion process.

Does the serial number on your gun have a V prefix? Can you tell us the serial number from the butt? Use xx for the last couple of digits if you prefer. The serial number on the butt should be repeated on the flat underside of the barrel and the rear face of the cylinder. (And a couple of other places too, but they are harder to see.)

[RMP91]

It would have to wait until we visit the cabin again, where the gun is currently located. But we are planning on going there sometime before the end of the month so I'll definitely get a pic or two up.

[Malysh]

Also posted before, 1954-1955

[QuickDrawMcGraw]

My old pre-war.

----> ~ Please help me identify ~

~ Joe

[1blindref]

I've posted these two before, but I like showing them off





queen and shooter

[LOBO]

This one is from 1951,

[lowhog]

Shipped June 1939 Minneapolis, MN.DSC_0013.jpg

DSC_0021.jpg

[digi-shots]

A couple of these might have been posted before, but not in this thread...

Here's a little Terrier that shipped to the Charles Greenblatt Company on October 9, 1951.
I believe this is my first "Smith" I've ever bought!

[ladder13]

S816945 shipped April '46

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by ladder13

S816945 shipped April '46

????????
Is a Gold box correct for this gun?

[jsfricks]

Might as well get it going again!
1949-50

1968 S.C.P.D. Lt's pistol.

[stu1ritter]

Might as well add this recent addition to the swarm.



Stu

[H Richard]

With a ship date of 9/57 this just makes the Pre numbered M&P's.

[mbliss57]

Here are 2. An airweight from 1956 and a Model 10 from 1968.
The early Airweights had a slimmer frame by 0.80"..I had to customize a set of nice diamond magnas to make them fit.

[1blindref]

just added this post war S prefix





three amigos

[readingbill]

I'll add mine to the thread. Shipped in June 1934. The stocks, bobbed hammer, and front sight insert were all done at some point later in its life.

[DRYHEAT]

My (birth month/year) November 1947 2" 38 M&P

A great shooter.

[navihawk]

Great thread. The snubnose revolver is a work of art. I can look at them all day long, along with the pocketknives and great photography.
Thanks for sharing.

[jim300_99]

10-5, just bought.

[bmg60]

HI
Here are my shot barrel Revolvers.
Jim

[Walter Rego]

Here's another California rescue that I found a few months back

[hotrod150]

You guys make me sick!!
(I'm jealous)

[jim300_99]

just bought a model 10, US Service CTG, 1902....stoked..!!
4"..

[JP@AK]

Well, alright. I'll play. (I realize I'm adding to an old thread. I hope that's okay.)

[jjbrewst1]

This Ol Girl has honest even wear, but not an ounce of rust or pitting. ALL Numbers Matching including the diamond magnas. Serial S970479 which puts her early 1948.

[digi-shots]

Post war M&P... fish-hook hammer

[JohnRippert]

Just a 10-7. Although, I consider all K-frame snubs to be classics.

[digi-shots]

Another snubbie... S prefix, shipped October 15, 1947 to Tracy Robinson Company, Hartford, CT.

[Sistema1927]

Nothing special here. 1957-58 Pre Model 10:

[RKmesa]

Originally Posted by lowhog

Shipped June 1939 Minneapolis, MN.

One of the nicest snubbie M&Ps that I have ever seen.

Thanks for sharing...4 years ago...

[Cyrano]

Here's mine; I've posted it on several of the forums before. It walked into an El Paso gun show about 3 PM on a Sunday, and I bought it. It's a square butt with Modified Magna Grips. Lots of finish wear and the grips are worn on the left side. A friend, a retired El Paso policeman, said it probably belonged to a plainclothes policeman; it's been carried a long time but shot little. It locks up tight and the bore is pristine. I shoot it in the Internet Snubby Matches as it's easier to shoot than my J frame 638, particularly when I put on a set of Sile grips (some target pistol!!). It probably came out 1948-52 somewhere; SN is C 137XXX.

The holster is unmarked but is probably a Myers. It was quite a nice holster, with floral carving. The safety strap was cut off long ago, and the holster has been sweat on considerably; probably carried before most offices had air conditioning down here.

All in all, a pretty expensive, first class rig: a S&W K frame sunbby, and a carved Myers holser.